The time for an NBA trade is now. The February trade deadline is only weeks away, and the New York Knicks are open for business.
New York may not pursue a “big” move this winter, according to team owner James Dolan. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player of league-wide interest, is not a realistic target. The Knicks will rely on the core of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns for the rest of the season, making bench upgrades and role player replacements a priority.
New York’s Trade Assets
Guerschon Yabusele, the Knicks’ recent free agent signing, has been in and out of Mike Brown‘s rotation.
According to Spotrac, his $5.5 million cap hit makes him a valuable piece for matching salaries in a trade. Former first-round pick Pacome Dadiet has a $2.8 million cap hit and could have some value for teams looking to develop a young player.
The Knicks also hold rights to the Washington Wizards’ 2026 pick, but it’s top-eight protected. If the Wizards finish in the top eight, the pick won’t convey. Even with the Trae Young deal, the Wizards will plan to rest and focus on Young’s long-term health to secure their pick.
That said, the Knicks can still trade it, turning it into multiple second-round picks in 2026 and 2027. Along with the Wizards’ second-rounders, New York has six additional second-round picks that could be included in deals.
Trade Targets
New York should target defensive wings and guards. Ian Begley of SNY TV mentioned the Knicks might look for a backup center, but the bigger weakness is in the backcourt and wing defense.
New York has struggled defending the three, allowing opponents to shoot 37.1% on 39 attempts per game. That’s in the bottom five in a league that lives and dies behind the arc. They need better perimeter defense, more aggressive closeouts, and more innovative ways to get over screens.
Here are some players the Knicks could target:
Keon Ellis (Sacramento Kings)
Ellis has been in trade talks since falling out of Doug Christie‘s rotation. He would pair perfectly with Miles McBride, Jalen Brunson, and Josh Hart thanks to his length and on-ball aggression. Ellis would be a Swiss Army knife for the Knicks, able to guard bigger wings.
The Sacramento Kings are a mess, but they hold a high price on Ellis. Landing him would likely cost a first-round pick, which could be steep for a team with limited assets.
Haywood Highsmith (Brooklyn Nets)
Highsmith has been out all season with a meniscus injury since his trade to Brooklyn. Even with limited playing time, he made a name for himself in Miami as a reliable 3-and-D wing.
He would fit nicely behind OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. Over the last two seasons, he shot 38.8% from three and used his seven-foot wingspan to guard multiple positions. The Knicks could presumably get him with second-round picks and match his $5.6 million cap hit with Yabusele.
Jose Alvarado (New Orleans Pelicans)
The interest of Alvarado came up in December via SNY’s Ian Begley.
The Brooklyn native is a strong on-ball defender known for his full-court press defense. With New York’s struggles on the perimeter, he’d slot in nicely as a two-guard next to Miles McBride or Jalen Brunson.
He brings grit and intensity, and Josh Hart and Alvarado are good friends from their time in New Orleans. The Pelicans would probably want second-round picks in return, and the Knicks could include Yabusele, Dadiet, or Kolek to match his $4.5 million cap hit.
Although these are not the flashiest names, any of these trade targets would make a significant difference for the Knicks.
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